How Ricky Skaggs saved country, left country and came back home

Ricky Skaggs poses in front of a portrait of Bill Monroe, an influence in Skaggs' life, on Sept. 19, 2018, in Hendersonville, Tenn. Just before Monroe died in 1996, Skaggs promised him he would do his part to keep Monroe's legacy — bluegrass music — alive.(Photo: Larry McCormack / tennessean)Buy Photo

Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass, towered over the tow-haired first-grader he’d just pulled on stage in Martha, Kentucky. The kid wasn’t supposed to be part of the show, but the audience kept shouting for Monroe to let “little Ricky Skaggs” play. Monroe unstrapped his mandolin and hung it on the boy, then asked what he wanted to sing.

“Ruby,” Skaggs replied.

Skaggs, gingerly perched more than half a century later on a pew from the famed Ryman Auditorium that he keeps in his Hendersonville recording studio, remembers how the mandolin felt as bulky as a guitar around his slight frame. He also remembers how that night changed his life.

“It was the first time I had ever been on the stage other than with Mom and Dad or at church,” Skaggs said. “It was the first time I ever played with a band. I went away from there really loving Bill Monroe.”

During a ceremony last month for his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Skaggs played Monroe’s mandolin again. It was a full-circle moment for the singer who stepped back from country music for 20 years to honor Monroe’s bluegrass legacy. Today, Skaggs is firmly entrenched in both genres and will be honored during the 52nd CMA Awards, which will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 on ABC.

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Ricky Skaggs holds a 1923 Gibson F5 Lloyd Loar mandolin that belonged to Bill Monroe and has been on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum after using it to perform "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" during the 2018 Medallion Ceremony at the CMA Theater in the Country Music Hall of Fame on Oct. 21, 2018.(Photo: Alan Poizner / For The Tennessean)

“When Ricky Skaggs came onto the country music scene, he was like the white knight riding into battle to save the day,” said author and country historian Robert Oermann. "It was very pop."

'Those acts of kindness ... had done something to my spirit'

Skaggs’ country music journey started before he met Monroe, his path cemented with his mother on the back porch of his family's quaint Kentucky home. She washed the family’s clothes with a wringer washing machine and sang gospel hymns and George Jones songs as she turned the crank.

“I tell people that my mother sung so hard and so loud and her voice was so sharp that she’d spay cats in four counties,” Skaggs said with a smile.

At 5 years old, Skaggs learned to play the mandolin. The next year, he added guitar and memorized the chords by watching his father’s hands on the instrument’s neck and then emulating what he did while looking in the mirror.

In 1961 when Skaggs was 7 years old, his family moved from Kentucky to Goodlettsville, right outside of Nashville. His dad, Hobert, thought that if they moved to Music City, his son might be able to sing on the Grand Ole Opry, a sure ticket to success. The elder Skaggs made friends with a backstage security guard who agreed to let him sneak the boy in to observe. Skaggs brought his mandolin and leaned against the wall to play as the Opry’s members and guests wandered through. Earl Scruggs heard him sing and invited Skaggs to audition for Flatt & Scruggs' television show. Skaggs performed “Foggy Mountain Special” and “Ruby,” the same song he’d played the year before on Monroe’s mandolin.

The Skaggs family moved back to Kentucky about three years later and went to see bluegrass duo the Stanley Brothers in nearby Olive Hill. Again, Skaggs found himself on stage.

“That was three heroes, three artists who were foundational to bluegrass music,” Skaggs said. “The foundation of the music that I make. But just the fact they were so, so kind to me. Those acts of kindness, whether I realized it or not, had done something to my spirit and my mind."

A contract written on a napkin launched Skaggs' solo career

By the time he was 16 years old, Skaggs was traveling with Ralph Stanley to festivals, his star continuing to rise in the bluegrass world. At 18, he got married and left the rolling hills of Kentucky for Washington, D.C. He briefly took a job at a power company before refocusing his full attention on music. He forged relationships with the Country Gentlemen and Emmylou Harris, who was Skaggs’ bridge to country music in the 1980s.

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Emmylou Harris and Ricky Skaggs hug after performing during the taping of "A Country Music Celebration" honoring the CMA's 35th anniversary at the Grand Ole Opry House on Jan. 13, 1993. Skaggs once toured as part of Harris' band before signing his first major label country recording contract.(Photo: Rex Perry / The Tennessean)

Skaggs toured as part of her band, but when Harris took time off to be with her new baby, he recorded a few more songs of his own. On a flight from Los Angeles to Nashville, a flight attendant upgraded him to first class. He tossed his things under the seat and plopped down beside Jim Mazza, then an executive with EMI. By the end of the flight, Skaggs had played his solo music for Mazza, who told him to bring his songs to Capitol Records. Capitol didn’t sign Skaggs, but it referred him to Rick Blackburn at CBS.

In 1980, Blackburn sketched Skaggs’ first major label country recording contract offer on a napkin over an early dinner in Nashville. Previously, he’d released a solo project on small independent label Sugar Hill.

“That’s how it happened,” Skaggs said, shifting on the church pew. “I got signed with CBS. The flight attendant, Jim Mazza being in the seat, you can’t make this up. If God ain’t in this, I don’t know.”

Skaggs’ country career produced hits including “Heartbroke,” “Honey (Open that Door),” “Highway 40 Blues” and his first chart-topper, “Crying My Heart Out Over You,” which he says changed everything.

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George Jones, left, relaxes at the Bradley's Barn Studio in Mt. Juliet on Feb. 20, 1994, during a recording session with some friends, including Waylon Jennings, center, and Ricky Skaggs.(Photo: Freeman Ramsey / The Tennessean)

“I was signing autographs driving through McDonald's and signing baby diapers at Kroger,” Skaggs said with a smile.

About that time, John Travolta’s film “Urban Cowboy” was peaking in popularity. Under its influence, country music was trending toward pop and traditionalism was struggling for recognition.

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Garth Brooks joins Ricky Skaggs to perform "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" during the 2018 Medallion Ceremony at the CMA Theater in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018.(Photo: Alan Poizner / For The Tennessean)

Garth Brooks, who helped induct Skaggs into the Country Music Hall of Fame, credits the Kentucky native for paving the way for Randy Travis and the traditionalist movement, which made room for himself and others, including Alan Jackson and Clint Black, who broke through in the early 1990s.

“There was a cowboy out of Texas holding the fort down and a cowgirl out of Oklahoma holding the fort down, and they needed help,” Brooks said, referencing George Strait and Reba McEntire in the early ‘80s. “Here came a kid playing country and bluegrass music out of Kentucky. And for me, I think George, Reba and Ricky held the fort down long enough for (traditional country to make a comeback.)”

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Garth Brooks talks about the importance of Ricky Skaggs to Country Music
George Walker IV, The Tennessean

A promise kept, a return to country music

Country music was still too pop for Skaggs. He didn't like the slick sounds and massive tours.

Just before Monroe died in 1996, Skaggs promised him he would do his part to keep Monroe's legacy — bluegrass music — alive. Skaggs shifted his creative focus back to bluegrass. (Now a member of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Musicians Hall of Fame and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Skaggs jokes all that’s left is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.)

“Mr. Monroe kicked the doors open for all of us,” Skaggs said. “I made him a promise that I would tell people what a rocking cat he was. I’ve done that.”

Skaggs played his first full country show in Nashville in 20 years in September 2017. Just a few months later, the Country Music Association’s Sarah Trahern met Skaggs at the Grand Ole Opry to tell him he was going to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Newcomer Ricky Skaggs, a leader in the country music purist revival, walks off with two of the CMA's most prestigious honors, Male Vocalist of the Year and the Horizon award for up-coming artists during the CMA Awards show Oct. 11, 1982. Said the delighted entertainer, "I used to sit up and watch this television show and wonder if I'd ever be on it, and I thank you all." P. Casey Daley / The Tennessean

Actor Robert Urich, left, the host, interviews singer Ricky Skaggs during a taping at the Jackson Theater in the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville July 27, 1983. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

Actor Robert Urich, left, the host, is getting ready to introduce singer Ricky Skaggs and his band during a taping at the Jackson Theater in the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville July 27, 1983. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

Presenter Ricky Skaggs, left, and his wife, Sharon White, right, helps Dove winner Lanny Wolfe celebrates one of his wins backstage during the Dove Awards ceremony at TPAC March 7, 1984. Wolfe won the Gospel Song of the Year for "More Than Wonderful" and was the Gospel Songwriter of the Year winner. Billy Easley / The Tennessean

Nashville welcomes the newest member of its music family as singing stars Sharon White, right, of The Whites, and Ricky Skaggs get ready to leave Nashville Memorial Hospital March 12, 1984 with three-day-old Molly Kate Skaggs, their first child. The bound-to-be-musical baby was born March 7th. Dan Loftin / The Tennessean

Young traditional artist Ricky Skaggs, left, brought his entire band on state to receive his third award as Bluegrass Act of the Year during the 18th annual Music City News Country Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House June 4, 1984. Bill Welch / The Tennessean

Ricky Skaggs, left, helps one member of his fan club with his camera as he signs autographs for them during his private picnic and show June 6, 1984 for them during Fan Fair. Dan Loftin / The Tennessean

Ricky Skaggs gives his fan club members the special treat of their own private concert at Fan Fair June 6, 1984. The group gathered for a picnic and show in a shady grove on the Marriott Hotel grounds. Dan Loftin / The Tennessean

Ricky Skaggs gives his fan club members the special treat of their own private concert at Fan Fair June 6, 1984. The group gathered for a picnic and show in a shady grove on the Marriott Hotel grounds. Dan Loftin / The Tennessean

Legendary Ray Charles sways back and forth on his piano bench as he performs with a host of artists, including Ricky Skaggs here, during the 18th annual CMA Awards show Oct. 8, 1984. Dan Loftin / The Tennessean

Traditional country great Ricky Skaggs is moved after deposing country rocker Alabama from their three-year reign by winning the Entertainer of the Year award during the annual CMA Awards show Oct. 14, 1985. Jeff Frazier / For The Tennessea

Sharon White Skaggs of the MCA/Curb Records act The Whites and husband Ricky Skaggs are enjoying him being named CMA’s Entertainer of the Year two days earlier during the annual ASCAP Awards gala at the Opryland Hotel Oct. 16, 1985. Kathleen Smith / The Tennessean

Ricky Skaggs, left, and wife Sharon White greet Christmas celebrants in the lobby of the Country Music Hall of Fame with their daughter Molly Kate Skaggs. They led a caroling session and tree-lighting ceremony there Dec. 1, 1985. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

A red cap atop his trademark white Stetson and a false beard can't disguise Bill Monroe, left, as he plays with Ricky Skaggs during the Country Music Foundation third annual holiday event at the Hall of Fame Dec. 1, 1985. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

Epic Records recording artist Ricky Skaggs, left, has made a Top 10 country hit out of “Cajun Moon” by songwriter Jim Rushing, right, as they get together April 1, 1986. Kathleen Smith / The Tennessean

From the Opry House, hometown folks Loretta Lynn, left, Ricky Skaggs, Crystal Gayle and Roy Acuff wave televised congratulations to Kitty Wells in California April 14, 1986 where the country queen won the Pioneer Award from the West Coast based Academy of Country Music. P. Casey Daley / The Tennessean

Ricky Skaggs, right, playing blazing bluesy guitar was joined by gospel superstar Amy Grant for a rousing version of the bluegrass standard "Walkin' in Jerusalem" during the CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House Oct. 13, 1986. Bill Welch / The Tennessean

A colorful Ricky Skaggs, left, and harmonica standout Charlie McCoy are backing Crystal Gayle during the live telecast of NBC's "Today" show at the Legislative Plaza May 19, 1987. Callie Shell / The Tennessean

One of three star singer-pickers Ricky Skaggs, second from left, speaks as Steve Wariner, left, and Vince Gill, right, and he won the Vocal Event of the Year with Mark O'Connor, second from right, and his New Nashville Cats band during the 25th annual CMA awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House Oct. 2, 1991. Kats Smith Barry / The Tennessea

Emmylou Harris and Ricky Skaggs hug after performing during the taping of "A Country Music Celebration" honoring the CMA's 35th anniversary at the Grand Ole Opry House on Jan. 13, 1993. Skaggs once toured as part of Harris' band before signing his first major label country recording contract. Rex Perry / The Tennessean

George Jones, left, relaxes at the Bradley's Barn Studio in Mt. Juliet on Feb. 20, 1994, during a recording session with some friends, including Waylon Jennings, center, and Ricky Skaggs. Freeman Ramsey / The Tennessean

Deanna Carter surprises presenter Ricky Skaggs after he announced that she won the CMA Single of the Year during the CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House Sept. 24, 1997. Bill Steber / The Tennessean

Ricky Skaggs talks to the crowd at the Billy Graham Crusade before performing "The Cat in the Cradle" June 2, 2000. Some 42,000 people attended the second night of the crusade. Randy Piland / The Tennessean

Ricky Skaggs, left, and Marty Stewart topped off the celebration of the new Tennessee quarter at the Country Music Hall of Fame by singing "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" as dignitaries and special guests hold hands Jan. 14, 2001. John Partipilo / The Tennessean

Ricky Skaggs rehearses some songs off his new album, "Brand New Strings," with the rest of the band, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, at his home studio Sept. 16, 2004. Michelle Morrow / The Tennessean

Rhonda Vincent, left, reacts to a nomination as she announces nominees with Ricky Skaggs during a press conference for nominees of the 16th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Aug. 30, 2005. Nina Long / The Tennessean

Ricky Skaggs, left, talks with Marty Stuart backstage Sept. 28, 2010 during the "Country Comes Home," the re-opening of the Grand Ole Opry House after the great Nashville flood. Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

“I never came here with intentions of being a Hall of Fame member,” Skaggs said, remembering he “squalled” when Trahern extended the offer. “That was the farthest thing from my mind. I thought that was for old people who had died and gone on.”

Initially, the invitation made him feel guilty because the Stanley Brothers aren’t yet members. But the more he thought about it, he said he realized that with his induction, they would be.

“Their music lives in the heart,” Skaggs said. “Their music has been the foundation of the music that I make. That was a blanket of peace that came over me. Their names may not be there, but they (went in) with me.”

Reach Cindy Watts at ciwatts@tennessean.com or 615-664-2227 and on Twitter @CindyNWatts.